MFTFX vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MFTFX (Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - MFTFX is a Systematic Trend fund managed by Arrow Funds, while FBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, MFTFX returned 6.26%/yr vs 11.75%/yr for FBALX. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFTFX charges 1.54%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund (MFTFX) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFTFX achieves a 16.67% return, which is significantly higher than FBALX's 10.05% return. Over the past 10 years, MFTFX has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 6.26%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.75% annualized return.

MFTFX

• 1D: 2.29%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 16.67%
• 6M: 24.17%
• 1Y: 44.53%
• 3Y*: 5.39%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: 6.26%

FBALX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 10.46%
• 1Y: 25.09%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: 11.75%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFTFX Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund	16.67%	9.29%	6.87%	-13.57%	57.88%	2.13%	-4.13%	15.17%	-19.70%	19.09%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	10.05%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between MFTFX and FBALX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2010	0.10

Over the past year, MFTFX and FBALX have become more correlated (0.38) than their long-term average of 0.10, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MFTFX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MFTFX

MFTFX Risk / Return Rank: 63
MFTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
MFTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
MFTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
MFTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
MFTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund (MFTFX) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MFTFX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.97	-0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	4.17	-1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.57	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	3.93	+0.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	18.86	-6.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFTFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFTFX and FBALX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFTFX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.97	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.77	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.92	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.81	-0.63

Drawdowns

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFTFX drawdown since its inception was -35.70%, smaller than the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFTFX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFTFX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.70%	-43.57%	+7.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.83%	-6.47%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.57%	-12.88%	-19.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.57%	-22.89%	-9.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.70%	-26.68%	-9.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	0.00%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.99%	-4.37%	-12.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	1.35%	+2.14%

Volatility

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund (MFTFX) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) at 2.58%. This indicates that MFTFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFTFX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	2.58%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.48%	6.81%	+5.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.64%	8.60%	+11.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.05%	12.18%	+9.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.15%	12.78%	+9.37%

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFTFX has a 1.54% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFTFX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

MFTFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.15%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
MFTFX Arrow Managed Futures Stragegy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	11.75%	41.04%	2.30%	0.00%	20.00%	7.84%	2.12%	9.36%	1.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFTFX and FBALX in my portfolio?

MFTFX and FBALX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFTFX or FBALX?

MFTFX has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to FBALX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFTFX dropped -35.70% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.28), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.